さくらっき

While researching Japanese mascots, I came across a charming creature that, at first glance, I mistook for a duck but later realized it was a swan with a cherry blossom petal on its head. Since I love cherry blossoms and believe that they’re my favorite flower, I immediately clicked on it. Intrigued, I delved deeper into this creature, named さくらっき (Sakurakki), which sounded like “Saku-lucky.” Upon further research, I found out that the name was intentionally created to evoke a sense of luck, as the mascot’s description mentioned it being a “fairy who makes flowers of good fortune bloom.” The appearance of this adorable creature combines features of a swan, a plum for its body, and a cherry blossom for its head. What fascinated me even more was discovering that the town this mascot represents (Ōgawara) is similar to a Sakura paradise. In every picture I encountered of this town, beautiful landscapes of Sakura trees were featured. Since the Sakura flower has always been my favorite flower since childhood, I found this creature irresistible. The delightful color palette of pink, green, and brown in this mascot reflects Ōgawara’s natural richness. Further intrigue grew when I analyzed the kanji characters composing the town’s name, 大河原町. Each character seems to symbolize an aspect of the town’s beauty: the first character, 大, conveys “big,” possibly referring to the large landscape of the town; the second character, 河, represents “river,” symbolizing the numerous bodies of water in the area; and the final character, 原, signifies “meadow” or “field,” likely representing the town’s beautiful fields blooming with flowers. It makes sense, given that the only search results I got for this town were its breathtaking cherry blossom trees and its natural beauty. Moreover, considering swans are usually found in bodies of water and the town’s fame for its cherry blossoms, it makes perfect sense for the mascot to be a swan with a Sakura petal on its head, effectively promoting the town’s defining features. Overall, this mascot is blended with cuteness, amusement, and historical significance, making it greatly captivating to me.

I believe that a mascot’s appearance is crucial since people initially often judge based on looks when encountering a mascot or any advertising product. It’s the appearance that initially draws them in and prompts further investigation. For instance, what led me to choose さくらっき as my favorite mascot was its adorable and distinct appearance. As I delved deeper into researching the mascot and the town it represented, I discovered the town’s rich history and stumbled upon its enchanting cherry blossom landscape. Without my initial interest in the mascot’s appearance, I might never have explored the town, highlighting the significant impact of a mascot’s appearance. I’m confident that nearly everyone who did this mascot project selected their mascot based on its visual appeal and how it caught their eye at first glance. Additionally, I believe a mascot’s appearance should not only be charming and captivating but also reflect aspects of the town, business, or organization it represents. This approach makes learning about the organization/town/business enjoyable and engaging. Furthermore, I admire Japan’s precise and unique creating of mascots, united by their natural cuteness. Japan’s kawaii culture has long been popular, attracting people to businesses and organizations. Take, for example, Sanrio and Hello Kitty, which have attracted a global fanbase who collect various merchandise ranging from clothing to home decor, all driven by their cuteness. Hello Kitty’s widespread popularity demonstrates the power of appearance in mascots and tourist attractions. Moreover, a mascot should convey the organization’s or town’s message, values, and history. For instance, consider another Japanese mascot, バリィさん (Barii-san), representing Imabari city. Every aspect of Bari-san’s appearance references a characteristic of his homeland: his crown represents the Kurushima-Kaikyō Bridge connecting Shikoku to the mainland, while the boat-shaped wallet symbolizes the local shipping industry. This design between appearance and representation highlights the importance of a mascot’s visual appeal in conveying its message and cultural significance. Another excellent example of this concept is evident in Hello Kitty, as representatives of Sanrio have expressed that they perceive Hello Kitty as a symbol of friendship. According to a Sanrio representative, Hello Kitty’s bow symbolizes human connections and emphasizes the importance of getting along with one another. This idea aligns well with the fact that Hello Kitty is not alone; she has numerous friends such as My Melody, Keroppi, Kuromi, and others. In conclusion, while a mascot’s appearance plays a crucial role in attracting audiences, it’s equally essential for it to incorporate the organization’s/town’s history, values, and message.

While I am drawn to the idea of having a mascot in Coquitlam, I doubt it would have much impact here. In the West, particularly in Canada, people don’t seem to pay much attention to mascots beyond sports-related contexts. The cultural differences between Japan and the West are significant, especially in their approach to mascots. Japanese culture embraces cuteness and whimsy, known as their “kawaii” culture, which is reflected in their widespread use of mascots, even by government agencies and public services. However, in the West, there’s a greater emphasis on professionalism and seriousness in public representation. Plus, Japan has a long tradition of using mascots, known as “Yuru-chara,” which is deeply ingrained in the culture. These mascots often represent local governments, businesses, or organizations and are seen as symbols of community pride and identity. In contrast, while mascots exist in the West, they are not as deeply embedded in the culture and are often associated with sports teams or commercial brands rather than broader community representation. This cultural difference results in mascots being less deeply embedded in Western culture as they are in Japan. However, when discussing my personal preferences, I find the concept of having a mascot in Coquitlam quite appealing. If it’s charming and visually alluring, I would certainly purchase merchandise to support my city, especially considering my fondness for buying cute items. Additionally, I believe having a personal mascot would be a good idea to attract more tourists to Coquitlam. Often, visitors to British Columbia gravitate towards downtown, north, and west Vancouver due to their popularity, overlooking the hidden gems of Coquitlam and its unique natural beauty. A mascot embodying Coquitlam’s beauty in its design would be a fantastic addition. Considering the meaning of “Coquitlam” as it translates to “red fish up the river,” a portrayal of a cute fish with indigenous influences could be fitting, paying respect and recognition to the original kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation, the rightful owners of the land. Globally, people are drawn to visually appealing and cute creations, leading them to support and purchase related merchandise. This idea is evident in the widespread adoration for characters like Hello Kitty, which has significantly boosted Japan’s popularity. Reflecting on the Japanese mascots we’ve encountered, it’s apparent that individuals often gravitate towards mascots that possess unique features or elements that provoke their interest. In advertising, aesthetics play a crucial role in attracting attention and recognition. Thus, our mascot should not only be adorable but should also connect with our local heritage and values. As someone who loves and lives in Coquitlam, I strongly believe that introducing a cute mascot that symbolizes our city would be a great idea. However, I recognize the potential challenges, especially within Western cultures like Canada, where the cultural values and norms differ. The west often leans towards a more serious tone in advertising and cultural representation, unlike the playful and charming approach commonly observed in Japan. Nonetheless, I still believe in the positive impact a thoughtfully created mascot could bring on our community’s identity and appeal.